Laremy Tunsil is a Pro Bowl offensive tackle. His numbers in pass protection since joining the Houston Texans in 2019 would back up that statement.
But Tunsil is also an All-Pro in totaling penalties. It’s not just a 2024 problem, but rather one that’s lingered over the past several years at NRG Stadium.
Sunday, however, might have been an all-time low.
In the Texans’ 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, 11 penalties were called, including eight on the offensive line. Five were flagged against Tunsil, including three false starts. Two came on a crucial drive before halftime that knocked Houston out of field goal range.
Here’s the other THREE false start penalties by Laremy Tunsil from #Texans 34-7 loss to MIN
Tunsil had 6 penalties overall in loss – has been flagged 10x so far this season.
Tunsil was flagged 11x in ‘23. Career high for flags is 20x during ‘19 season. pic.twitter.com/LVqUbaeWvK
— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) September 23, 2024
“We go to the drawing board, and we fix it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “We have to line up right up, which I know we can do. We have to line up right and we have to protect as best we can up front.
“We have to swarm up front, and we have to get the guys blocked.”
Tunsil, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Texans, admitted there was a disconnect in how the games are being officiated with multiple inconsistencies.
That doesn’t change the fact that he leads the NFL in penalties and false starts with six. Last season, he led the NFL with false start penalties, too.
“I want people to understand that, the whole entire offense, it’s all of us,” Tunsil told KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson. “We all have to be on the same accord and be on the same communication. It’s crazy. I’ll take the accountability because they’re calling my name, but it takes all of us. If people don’t understand that, it’s cool, though.”
Laremy Tunsil currently has 10 penalties through the first 3 weeks
The next closest OL has 5. pic.twitter.com/0th0bcvYY3
— Jacob (@Stroud4MVP) September 22, 2024
Brian Flores, who right now seems like the front-runner to land a head coaching job again in 2024, cooked up a defensive bout that kept San Francisco’s offense at bay. It was more of the same with Bobby Slowik’s personnel heading to U.S. Bank Stadium.
The difference? Penalties. San Francisco committed four penalties and lost by six.
Tunsil’s five, plus the six others among five players, led to an 88-yard differential and a 27-point loss.
When the Texans are humming on offense, they’re a juggernaut that has no end in sight. When they stall, results like Sunday occur.
Fans are frustrated with Tunsil’s performance. They should be. He’s been the one constant of the roster during a four-year rebuild, but he’s also remained a constant in drawing penalties.
The season is far from lost. Houston can respond Sunday in a divisional matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it starts with protection up front.
Maybe the crowd noise won’t be a factor for the false starts? Then again, people have said this for years.
